By Seth Mendelson/CaMMVets Media
4-7-2025
IAnother week, another win and a step closer to reaching the goal for the season: a spot in the postseason NCAA Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Championships in May.
That is the goal of both the Army men’s and women’s lacrosse teams and, with impressive wins by both teams on Saturday, the two squads are slowly moving forward in their respective quests for a NCAA tournament berth.
Of course, even with the women knocking off host American, 16-13, for their fifth consecutive win and the men staving off Colgate, 13-7, for their second straight victory, at-large bids are never guaranteed and both teams remain focused on getting into the Patriot League tournament and, hopefully, winning that playoff and gaining the league’s automatic bid to their tournaments.
And, it should be noted that it does not get easier for either team, with both travelling to Annapolis with key showdowns with Navy on Saturday.
“I just think we have a team that never quits,’ said Army women’s coach Michelle Tumolo. “We didn’t have the prettiest all-around game, but we have players that fight until the clock hits zero.”
Added men’s coach Joe Alberici: “Today was a great win but, as I said last week, the quicker we move off of this and onto the next one will be to our benefit.” Led by a super juniors Allison Reilly and Brigid Duffy, who each scored six goals on 13 shots, the women’s team, now 9-2 overall and 4-1 in the Patriot League, was able to outlast a feisty American squad and a great effort by the Eagles’ goalie Caleigh Forti, who stopped 17 of the Black Knights’ 33 shots. Army, ranked 20th in the national poll, scored the last three goals of the game after the game was tied 13-13 in the fourth quarter.
That is the goal of both the Army men’s and women’s lacrosse teams and, with impressive wins by both teams on Saturday, the two squads are slowly moving forward in their respective quests for a NCAA tournament berth.
Of course, even with the women knocking off host American, 16-13, for their fifth consecutive win and the men staving off Colgate, 13-7, for their second straight victory, at-large bids are never guaranteed and both teams remain focused on getting into the Patriot League tournament and, hopefully, winning that playoff and gaining the league’s automatic bid to their tournaments.
And, it should be noted that it does not get easier for either team, with both travelling to Annapolis with key showdowns with Navy on Saturday.
“I just think we have a team that never quits,’ said Army women’s coach Michelle Tumolo. “We didn’t have the prettiest all-around game, but we have players that fight until the clock hits zero.”
Added men’s coach Joe Alberici: “Today was a great win but, as I said last week, the quicker we move off of this and onto the next one will be to our benefit.” Led by a super juniors Allison Reilly and Brigid Duffy, who each scored six goals on 13 shots, the women’s team, now 9-2 overall and 4-1 in the Patriot League, was able to outlast a feisty American squad and a great effort by the Eagles’ goalie Caleigh Forti, who stopped 17 of the Black Knights’ 33 shots. Army, ranked 20th in the national poll, scored the last three goals of the game after the game was tied 13-13 in the fourth quarter.
All photos: ARMY ATHLETICS
“Yes, their goalie had a great game,” Tumolo added. “I think we could have had better shot selection and patience, but she definitely made great plays out there. We made great decisions at the end and put the ones that mattered most in the back of the net.”
As for Reilly and Duffy, the team’s top scorers this year, Tumolo emphasized how consistent both have played this season. “They constantly show up and be their best every game,” she said. “They produce so much of our offense especially with two attacking starters out today, their jobs got even more important. I’m very proud of (sophomore) Ryan Remaly (three goals) on offense today as well. She was awesome.”
Alberici was concerned about Colgate’s high-powered offense going into the contest on Saturday. But No. 5-ranked Army men’s team, now 9-1 on the year and 4-1 in the Patriot League, jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first quarter and shut the Red Raiders out in the third quarter to jump ahead 12-5 at the start of the last quarter.
Once again, Army was led by senior Jackson Eicher, who had five goals and two assists. Junior Gunnar Fellows scored three goals and freshmen Hill Plunkett and Brayden Fountain each scored twice for the Black Knights. “It was a great win and a complete team effort,” said Alberici. “We were able to connect defensively and the players were very strong on the ball in our individual matchups. Sean Byrne (13 saves on 20 shots) continues his play as the best goalie in the country.”
Alberici was also extremely happy to have faceoff specialist Will Coletti back after missing a month with a lower back injury. Coletti, a senior who was an all-American last season, won 11 of 20 faceoffs for the Black Knights.
“It is great to have Will back,” Alberici said. “He is a huge part of our success and today he was able to give us an advantage at the face-off X.”
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As for Reilly and Duffy, the team’s top scorers this year, Tumolo emphasized how consistent both have played this season. “They constantly show up and be their best every game,” she said. “They produce so much of our offense especially with two attacking starters out today, their jobs got even more important. I’m very proud of (sophomore) Ryan Remaly (three goals) on offense today as well. She was awesome.”
Alberici was concerned about Colgate’s high-powered offense going into the contest on Saturday. But No. 5-ranked Army men’s team, now 9-1 on the year and 4-1 in the Patriot League, jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first quarter and shut the Red Raiders out in the third quarter to jump ahead 12-5 at the start of the last quarter.
Once again, Army was led by senior Jackson Eicher, who had five goals and two assists. Junior Gunnar Fellows scored three goals and freshmen Hill Plunkett and Brayden Fountain each scored twice for the Black Knights. “It was a great win and a complete team effort,” said Alberici. “We were able to connect defensively and the players were very strong on the ball in our individual matchups. Sean Byrne (13 saves on 20 shots) continues his play as the best goalie in the country.”
Alberici was also extremely happy to have faceoff specialist Will Coletti back after missing a month with a lower back injury. Coletti, a senior who was an all-American last season, won 11 of 20 faceoffs for the Black Knights.
“It is great to have Will back,” Alberici said. “He is a huge part of our success and today he was able to give us an advantage at the face-off X.”
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